New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) Indian wrist-spinner Varun Chakravarthy emphasized that refining his fundamental strategy of consistently taking wickets while aggressively targeting the stumps was pivotal in achieving a remarkable three-wicket haul. This performance significantly hindered Namibia's pursuit, leading India to a commanding 93-run victory in a Group A showdown at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday.

Since India's triumph in the 2024 World Cup, Chakravarthy has established himself as the country's key middle-overs asset in T20Is, boasting the highest wicket tally during this phase. His bowling combines unwavering precision with subtle variations, effectively controlling this essential segment. His dominance against right-hand batsmen is notable, exemplified by his effortless dismissal of Louren Steenkamp and JJ Smit.

"I have definitely concentrated on several aspects of my bowling, including speed and additional revolutions. While many focus on variations, I aimed at honing my existing deliveries, which proved beneficial. I have worked on my follow-through to generate more speed off the pitch. My strategy is to secure wickets and persistently attack the stumps—that's my fundamental approach," Varun conveyed to the media in the mixed zone following the match.

After a dismal stint during the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup, where he failed to claim any wickets in three matches, Chakravarthy highlighted the importance of utilizing overspin instead of sidespin to gain extra pace from the surface, which has been crucial in securing numerous wickets.

"As I mentioned earlier, I have shifted my focus toward overspin rather than sidespin and aimed for more speed and bounce from the pitch. Although I don’t usually begin with a googly, I sometimes rely on my instincts. Typically, I start with my stock delivery, not the googly," he added.

He also remarked that the pitch conditions in the tournament's opening matches differed from what India faced in their home series against South Africa and New Zealand leading up to the event.

"The matches we played in the lead-up to this World Cup were mostly flat, which made the conditions in our first match somewhat surprising. This particular pitch also presented challenges. However, we must adapt to whatever conditions we encounter," he stated.

"The pitch here tended to keep low. While there wasn't excessive turn, the low bounce was evident. Dew significantly influences the game, particularly when defending while bowling second, but we managed to perform well. Our experience in the IPL equips us to handle dew conditions effectively," he further explained.

Chakravarthy also commended Namibia's strategic bowling efforts, especially praising their captain Gerhard Erasmus, who achieved a career-best 4-20 with his unconventional bowling style. "He bowled with great strategy, demonstrating meticulous preparation. The last four overs showcased their well-planned execution, indicating thorough research and strategy," he commented.

Varun mentioned that the smaller boundaries at the Arun Jaitley Stadium limited his ability to flight the ball, but he may consider doing so against Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. "In this match, it was impractical to flight the ball due to the small boundary size. I might attempt it in Colombo," he said.

When asked about developing new deliveries, Chakravarthy expressed his willingness to experiment. “It takes time; some deliveries have clicked for me during matches, while others I have been trying for six years haven’t materialized yet. It depends on the complexity of the delivery,” he noted.

"I've been working on several techniques, and that has always been my process. I will continuously have new deliveries in the pipeline, but it’s up to me to be brave enough to try them in the next match," he added.

Regarding Abhishek Sharma's recovery following a stomach infection that sidelined him during the Namibia match, Chakravarthy expressed optimism, although a final decision will depend on his performance during pre-match practice in Colombo. "I believe he will be fit to play in the next match. From what I have gathered, he appears well and has been practicing," he concluded.